This site highlights the ecological research, conservation
and environmental education projects being conducted within Big Lagoon, Perdido Key and Tarkiln Bayou State Parks. Limited,
periodic work will be done in Blackwater River and Yellow River Marsh State Parks in northwest Florida. This work
is being conducted through an AmeriCorps position, in Florida State Parks, by Karl Studenroth.

This very important work would not be possible if it were not for the AmeriCorps program. Several people
have made this work possible and I would like to thank: Anne Harvey (Big Lagoon Park Biologist), David Colbert (Big Lagoon
Manager) and Mike Pazdera (Florida State Parks AmeriCorps Representative). This web space is provided courtesy of the
Northwest Florida Environmental Conservancy.

Be sure to check this site often for AmeriCorps projects,
upcoming events and news, ecological research and conservation work being conducted, and opportunities to get involved and
volunteer in western Florida Panhandle State Parks! New photos and information will be added to this site periodically
too.Thanks for taking the time to check out this website! Enjoy!

2010 Update!

In 2009 I was able to complete a lot of very important and beneficial work.
I am now in my second year of AmeriCorps service in Florida State Parks. Be sure to check out page 2 (Upcoming and Recent
Events) for upcoming public programs in 2010.

Also, for those that are more interested in the work that was completed in
2009 and the work that is planned for 2010, please check out the last page (Links & Downloads). Under the "Downloads"
section you can open lists of the completed 2009 work and the upcoming 2010 work and projects. I encourage everyone
to volunteer and get involved in the very important AmeriCorps work I am doing! Thanks to AmeriCorps, the Florida Park
Service and Volunteer Florida for these special opportunities!

Final Update!

The 2009 & 2010 AmeriCorps service has been completed in Pensacola area State Parks.
I would like to thank the AmeriCorps program, the Florida Park Service and all the employees of Big Lagoon State Park for
their support and the many great opportunities we had, and all the important work that was completed!

(Above): A Great Blue Heron at Big Lagoon
State Park

What Is AmeriCorps?

AmeriCorps is a U.S. federal government program partnering with non-profit organizations, public agencies, and faith-based organizations that
was created under President Bill Clinton by the National and
Community Service Trust Act of 1993. More than 70,000 individuals
currently join AmeriCorps annually, totaling more than 500,000 past and current members since 1994. The work done by these
groups ranges from public education to environmental clean-up.

AmeriCorps is an opportunity to make a big difference in your
life and in the lives of those around you. It’s a chance to apply your skills and ideals toward helping others and meeting
critical needs in the community.

Each year, AmeriCorps offers 75,000 opportunities for adults
of all ages and backgrounds to serve through a network of partnerships with local and national nonprofit groups. Whether your
service makes a community safer, gives a child a second chance, or helps protect the environment, you’ll be getting
things done through AmeriCorps!

AmeriCorps members address critical needs in communities all
across America. As an AmeriCorps member, you can:

Tutor and mentor disadvantaged youth

Fight illiteracy

Improve health services

Build affordable housing

Teach computer skills

Clean parks and streams

Manage or operate after-school programs

Help communities respond to disasters

Build organizational capacity

(Above): A foggy winter day at the Gulf
of Mexico

at Perdido Key State Park

=====================================================================

A little info about Karl Studenroth:

I
am a herpetologist and field-naturalist. I’ve been seriously involved in the fields of ecology, herpetology, conservation
and environmental education since 1982. I am the founder of the Northwest Florida Environmental Conservancy
and am extremely dedicated to preserving northwest Florida and the northern Gulf Coastal areas.At age 45, I’m now in the 29th year of my lifelong dedication to these fields and
causes!

All content and opinions of this website are the sole responsibility of the webmaster.
If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please contact the webmaster. All web site photos
were taken by Karl R. Studenroth Jr. or are his personal property and are COPYRIGHTED (and may not be used without prior
written consent)! Enjoy the site! Thanks for visiting! Email: nwflec3@yahoo.com.

Quick fact: Northwest Florida in addition to the adjacent Gulf Coastal regions of Alabama, Mississippi,
and Georgia, contain the highest biodiversity of flora & fauna and
is home to more species of plants & animals than any other comparable region in the entire U.S.!